• Mow less frequently:
  If you want to give fireflies a chance, you should only mow meadows partially starting in May, and avoid mowing altogether in June and July if possible. This is when fireflies—which live for only a few weeks—are active. The females need blades of grass to climb up and emit their light signals. If you do mow, do so in sections to preserve areas where they can retreat.
• Opt for gentle mowing:
  Bar mowers or scythes are gentler on the insects. A bar mower uses counter-rotating blades that cut the grass cleanly. This results in fewer injuries to the insects and gives them a better chance to escape in time. In contrast, flail mowers, string trimmers, or brush cutters shred the vegetation at high speed. Many conventional lawn
  mowers are unsuitable for very long grass, as the grass is not cut cleanly but rather flattened or torn off unevenly. At the same time, the rapidly rotating blades create a strong suction effect that draws in small animals.
• Create structures and hiding places:
  Piles of stones and branches, or some left-over clippings at the edge of meadows, provide hiding places for beetles and larvae. Fireflies in particular find shelter here during dry and warm weather. Later in the year, these areas also serve as overwintering sites.
• Preserve darkness:
  Artificial light disrupts fireflies’ orientation when searching for mates. Avoid garden lighting whenever possible—this also benefits many other nocturnal animals.
• Avoid slug poison:
  Firefly larvae, ground beetles, dung beetles, and other species naturally help control slug populations. Slug poison kills them as well.
• Create a beetle nursery:
  With a so-called “beetle nursery,” you can create a dedicated “nursery.” To do this, dig a pit about 50 × 50 cm in size and at least 50 cm deep, and fill it with fresh and decaying wood. A partially shaded location is ideal. With a little patience, beetle larvae will settle here.

It’s not just bees that pollinate plants—many species of beetles also play an important role in pollination. By protecting their habitat, you’re boosting biodiversity right on your own doorstep.